Marketing, advertising & media intelligence

Lou Draper and David Cormack have come together to create the Draper Cormack Group, a fusion of corporate reputation management and the making of content for organisations and personal brands.

Draper has worked as a sole practitioner for eight years, and was looking or someone to join her in crating a new company.

She said she worked with Cormack last year and is please to be doing so again.

"I'm stoked I have someone to share the load with. As everyone who has done it knows, being in business is really hard and last year when I needed him, David showed he knew what's up. And he takes instruction from women in business really well."

Cormack as spent over a decade in the communications industry, ranging from consultancy to public service and NGO as well as a stint in parliament, however he said he has always pursued being the manager of his own firm.

"When Lou came to me with an offer to join with her and create something new and exciting, it was too good an offer to refuse. Lou is the perfect business partner, she complements my skill-set and is just brilliant at dealing with personal brand and media relations.”

The pair are wanting to help anyone who wants to work on knowing and improving their reputation.

Crossing the ditch

Mark Harricks is making the move to Assignment Group after a year as executive creative director at VCCP Australia.

​Harricks will take on the role of a senior creative and said: "I'm really excited to be back in NZ working with some of the smartest people I know, a grown up place that works solely for the purpose of making a difference to our clients business."

Across the UK, New Zealand and Australia, Harricks has worked at some of the most well known agencies, including ECD at JWT Sydney, creative director of DDB Sydney, creative director at Clemenger BBDO Wellington, FCB Sydney, George Patterson Bates Sydney and TBWA GGT Simons Palmer in London.

Moving up

DB Breweries has announced the promotion and appointment of Sean O’Donnell to the role of marketing director.

O’Donnell moves into the leadership team role after two years with DB and Redwood Cidery, mostly recently as the head of cider and domestic beer marketing.

“Sean has excellent marketing experience across a range of sectors and will provide business continuity with his deep knowledge and passion for our industry, brands, market challenges and business drivers. His ongoing contribution at a leadership level will be invaluable.”

O’Donnell said he is excited to take on a new challenge within the DB business.

“We have a truly world class marketing team here at DB, working on a number of the best brands locally and globally including Heineken, Tiger, Monteith’s, DB Export & Tui. I’m looking forward to building on the great work that’s already happening here and continuing to drive our iconic beer and cider brands forward by engaging kiwi adults in new and innovative ways.”

He replaces Maud Meijboom-van Wel who continues her career within the Heineken Company as she takes up the role of marketing director at Heineken Malaysia’s Guinness Anchor Berhard (GAB).

Expanding

Blismedia’s Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) operations has hired nine new team members to service its growing client base.

The appointments include Rob Marshall from InMobi, who joins as senior sales manager, and Leah Stalker from SBS, who joins as sales manager. Both will report into Nick Ballard, Blis’ ANZ managing director.

Vice President APAC at Blismedia Rupert Pay calls the new additions “the best digital team from the region”.

Marshall said he is thrilled to be joining: “Blis is a fast growing company with innovative products which will allow me to leverage my expertise in driving sales and products to our growing client base.”

Stalker was also excited to be with Blis, and said she was looking forward to bringing her sales management experience from Inmobi and using her knowledge of the ANZ market to showcase Blis to clients as a leader in location data solutions.

Taking on the challenge

Australasia’s largest specialist eCommerce solutions company, eStar, has today announced two new senior appointments to bolster its growth operations.

John Menagh joins as sales director, Australia, and will be responsible for sales and business development opportunities in the Australian market. Greg Randall joins the business as a digital strategist for Australia and New Zealand.

​eStar CEO Andrew Buxton said he is thrilled to welcome Menagh, who previously held senior positions across the eCommerce and pharmaceutical industries.

“He brings a wealth of eCommerce experience and a reputation for excellence that will instantly make him an integral member of our senior leadership team. John has a proven performance record and strong relationships across the industry and will be a valuable asset to our business as we strive for more growth in the market.”

Randall takes the job after a career as a digital consultant and his appointment will enable eStar to continue to develop its portfolio of digital consulting services including customer experience design, reporting and analytics.

Taking the lead

Australian executive IT search and recruitment firm Halcyon Knights will be expanding into the international market with the launch of an office in Auckland and has a new director to head the New Zealand region.

Brooke Campbell-Town has taken on the role after recently returning to Auckland following over seven years in Singapore where she was responsible for the recruitment of min to senior level IT professionals across Asia Pacific.

Halcyon Knight’s co-founding director, Marcus Lynch, said Campbell-Town was hired for her knowledge of best practice in hiring executives, senior sales, presale and delivery/consulting personnel for leading technology vendors and service providers.

“Her style of quality over quantity, and pursuit of excellence in candidate care practices is also consistent with our values as an organization.”

Campbell-Town said being able to consult businesses through periods of growth or change is something she is really passionate about.

“I’ve worked within large multi-national companies as well as start-ups in the B2B/B2C environment, and I’m aware of the challenges companies face in hiring and retaining top talent as is often the case in New Zealand.”

Good to be back

Botica Butler Raudon Partners has welcomed back Fred Russo who launched his public relations career with the group almost a decade ago.

He returns as a shareholder, board member and executive director after leaving as an account director in 2013.

Since then he has worked as the national PR manager for Samsung New Zealand, a PR director for QMS Media.

“He’s smart, switched on and strategic. He combines insight and creativity, energy and application. Clients love him. Media enjoy working with him. I’m delighted to have him as a colleague and business partner.”

Russo said he was happy to be back at Botica as he likes its people and culture.

“We do interesting and challenging work for great clients, and I get an opportunity to create something meaningful. That works for me.”

Talking numbers

Adshel has found a research and insights executive in Grishma Shah.

She steps into the role to assist the company to deliver an insights-led approach through the various data sources available.

Adshel NZ general manager Nick Vile said: “I’m pleased to be welcoming Grishma to the team as a dedicated research and insights executive, who will enhance our offering in this area.”

Shah was previously a senior client service executive at the Nielsen Company where she received several accolades including 2014 Executive of the Year.

Trying something new

Aaron Morton has returned from Canada and joined 8 for directorial representation in the Australian and New Zealand markets.

Morton's move comes after he took home his third consecutive Canadian Screen Award for Best Photography in a Dramatic Program of Series for his work on Orphan Black.

For the last few seasons he has also been directing episodes.

Morton said: "I've literally spent thousands of days on a film set. It's my natural habitat. Shooting and directing on Orphan Black felt very comfortable so I wanted to explore that in commercials, and knowing the fine people at 8 as well as I do, it felt like a natural fit."

Executive producer and managing director at 8 Katie Millington said Morton has a unique skill-set and will be a huge asset.

"We are thrilled to have his level of talent and experience at our fingertips. He's one of New Zealand's most highly awarded film craftsmen, yet a he's very humble guy who is a delight to have a beer with."

Morton will return to Toronto to work on Orphan Black season five in Spetember.

If we find you doing these things, your comments will be edited without recourse and you may be asked to go away and reconsider your actions.
We respect the right to free speech and anonymous comments. Don’t abuse the privilege.

So they're taking a leaf out of Countdown's book and essentially putting products on price lockdown? Meh. Can't even remember the last time I went into a Warehouse but the latest ads with yellow backgrounds are frankly a very silly ...

I have been enjoying paperboy. At 50 years of age, I am not of the demographic target, but I still have a pulse. The harbour news went from dull to dead boring once the oldtimer who wrote the opinions section ...

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Why we like it: The Warehouse is getting real about life's complications. Waiting for a sale can be frustrating and while retail ads often promote particular discounts, this shows a change in The Warehouse's strategy to offer low process every day. It puts the focus on the customer's needs rather than the products, and in turn, makes the retailer a strong competitor in the market.

Who's it for: Fresh by Work Communication and Eight

Why we like it: Who said toilet paper ads had to be boring? Dancing and toilet paper aren't typically associated but the combination of the two makes for quite an intriguing display. And beyond its promotion of the strength and suitability for sensitive skin, the spot is sure to make the toilet paper brand the one of choice for any toilet paper-themed costume parties.

Who's it for: Fire and Emergency NZ by FCB and Tom Sainsbury

Why we like it: Nothing says check your smoke alarms like a bit of cheeky banter between a barbecue and a smoke alarm. The reminder to check your alarms is not a new one, but getting it across with anthropomorphic household items certainly offers a fresh take on the important message. If this first effort is anything to go by, then Snapchat comedian Tom Sainsbury is set to become a staple in local advertising over the next few months.